Invercargill Mayor Delays Decision on Mana Whenua Charter

Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark has postponed a crucial decision regarding a memorandum of understanding with local mana whenua representatives. This charter has guided relationships between the four Southland councils and the four Murihiku Papatipu Rūnaka since its inception in 1997. Clark believes that the incoming council should have the opportunity to engage with the revised agreement, which has been left unresolved for an extended period.

During a council meeting this week, Clark stated, “It would be timely for us to leave that to the next council to deliberate on, which would mean that we push it out by a couple of months given that it’s already five years overdue.” The charter is intended to be reviewed every five years but has only been updated twice before—once in 2003 and again between 2015 and 2016.

Clark’s decision received backing from Deputy Mayor Tom Campbell, who admitted to being unaware of the document’s existence throughout his tenure. Campbell noted that allowing the next council to deliberate would foster a more informed discussion. He remarked, “Leaving the decision to the next council meant there would be proper debate and a better understanding.”

In contrast, mana whenua representative Evelyn Cook expressed disappointment that Campbell had not engaged with the agreement during his term. Cook voiced concerns that further delays could hinder ongoing positive relations rather than reinforce them. She stated, “I fear that delaying the decision means the incoming council might be able to undo some of the good work that has been done.”

Another mana whenua representative, Pania Coote, echoed Cook’s sentiments, emphasizing the extensive work that went into the charter from various external groups. Councillor Lesley Soper praised the document as “sterling,” having undergone thorough consultation, while Councillor Ria Bond insisted on the importance of making a timely decision. Councillor Ian Pottinger criticized the delay, suggesting that the decision to postpone was a “very soft option.”

Before reaching his conclusion, Clark sought guidance from council manager for governance and legal affairs, Michael Morris. Morris indicated that the significance of the item would dictate whether binding decisions could be made before elections, suggesting that a memorandum of understanding would not typically be seen as significant under council guidelines.

The decision to delay was supported by councillors Grant Dermody, Trish Boyle, and Barry Stewart. Meanwhile, the updated charter was recently adopted by Environment Southland, which oversees environmental management in the region. Additionally, three councils outside of Southland—Queenstown Lakes District Council, Clutha District Council, and Otago Regional Council—are also included in this agreement.

The ongoing dialogue surrounding the mana whenua charter highlights the complexities of local governance and the importance of inclusive decision-making processes. As Invercargill prepares for the transition to its new council, the future of this significant agreement remains uncertain.